Artificial intelligence is a hot topic in the communications world today but it raises many questions. Is it helpful for my business? What are the security concerns? And so on. While implementing AI into the UC solution may also add some challenges, this solution has the ability to transform communications and collaboration within businesses, while also increasing employees’ productivity. AI enhances UC solutions through improved collaboration, easier access and use of data, increased productivity, and enhanced efficiencies. With the addition of artificial intelligence into the system also comes the need for added security with new protocols and standards being created to assist with security concerns. Mitel shares some interesting insight into artificial intelligence and how it adds to UC solutions, communication security, and more. Read more here.

The number of U.S. employees who work remotely is on the rise, largely due to advancements and improvements in unified communications (UC) systems. In fact, a 2016 Gallup survey found 43% of respondents worked from home at least once in the last year, and the U.S. Employee Workforce report cited a 115% increase since 2005 in the number of workers who worked from home at least half of the time. So, why the rise in popularity? It turns out that the ability to work remotely benefits not only employees, but the company, too. That’s why having a discussion with your partners about the implications of working remotely represents an investment in their business and in their human capital.

The Polycom Demo Pool is a resource that ScanSource Partners can use to provide a five-day demo at no cost to them or their end users. This allows end users to take a trial run with actual Polycom products in order to make sure that they are receiving the best possible option for their business.

Do you have a customer interested in seeing Polycom solutions in person? If so, our ScanSource team would love to help you schedule and coordinate a visit to one of Polycom’s four Executive Experience Centers, located in New York City, San Jose, Herndon or Austin. During your visit, you and your customer will get to experience Polycom solutions in a customized briefing for your industry and specific business needs. Senior leaders and solutions experts will be on hand to discuss Polycom solutions, as well as any questions you and your visitors may have. Visiting a Polycom EEC is one of the many approved activities in which you can earn points for the Polycom Partner Program!

ScanSource was honored to be part of a wonderful project at the USS Wisconsin Museum in Norfolk, Virginia. Our partners IPConfigure and Axis Communications offered a great deal of support, providing the equipment and manpower to set up cameras and run cables as part of the Museum’s Ship Experience Access Room (SEAR). The SEAR provides a wheelchair accessible room full of large monitors for veterans and their families to get an in-depth look at several areas on board the Battleship USS Wisconsin, many of which are very hard to gain access to. Using pan-tilt-zoom security cameras on the ship and joysticks back in the SEAR, veterans can control the cameras to explore the spaces.